Abuja, Nigeria - The Nigeria chapter of the Universal Peace Federation organized a special conference to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the amalgamation of Nigeria at the National Merit Award House, Maitama, in Abuja, Nigeria on April 14, 2014. The conference was attended by Ambassadors for Peace and other distinguished Nigerians.
As part of the celebration, the Ambassadors for Peace reflected on the challenges that the nation has faced in the past 100 years and made the bold proclamation of the commencement of the new era of national unification. All pledged to work together for a unified Nigeria with the hope that by year 2020, we can achieve a peacefully united Nigeria.
The UPF-Nigeria Ambassadors for Peace commemorated the anniversary with the commissioning of 100 outstanding Nigerians as Ambassadors for Peace dedicated to national unity. The commemorative celebration attracted Nigerians and distinguished leaders from across the country as well as participants from Ireland, USA and peace emissaries from Japan.
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The program featured an opening invocation, recitation of Nigeria National Anthem and the UPF Unity Song coordinated by the MC Monday Akhilomen. The Chairman’s opening remarks by Ambassador of Peace Paddy Njoku, Chairman of the National Examinations Council (NECO) Board, were so touching that participants were moved to tears as he reflected on the suffering of the Nigerian people in the past 100 years and why we must move the nation forward now.
A video presentation introducing the Universal Peace Federation was also part of the opening session. National President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification-Nigeria Rev. Olaleye Alao read an extract of the words of the UPF Founder on unification. The anniversary lecture was delivered by Dr. Raphael Ogar Oko, Secretary General, UPF-Nigeria. The Vice President of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification-Nigeria led the proclamation of an era of national unity which was unanimously endorsed by the Ambassadors for Peace.
A special feature of the celebration was the presentation of a handbook titled “The Acts of the Ambassadors for Peace” for national unity, which featured the summarized work of Ambassadors for Peace in Nigeria and the profile of 100 Outstanding Ambassadors for Peace who were inducted as members of the UPF-Nigeria National Unity Council. Find below the proclamation issued and endorsed by the Ambassadors for Peace at the end of the commemorative celebration.
Proclamation of the Year and Era of National Unification of Nigeria
Whereas, The Nigerian Ambassadors for Peace of the Universal Peace Federation, a non-profit organization with a Special Consultative Status at the United Nations ECOSOC, has proposed on December 12, 2013 that the Year 2014 be proclaimed as Year for National Unification of Nigeria to facilitate the establishment of the foundation for the realization of a peacefully unified Nigeria by Year 2020;
Whereas, National Unification of Nigeria will establish a nationwide focus towards building a unified Nigeria nation where all citizens live together transcending religious and ethnic barriers as members of the global family of humankind under a common Creator;
Whereas, All Nigerians are members of One Human Family;
Whereas, All citizens despite their religions, regions and resources are interconnected and interdependent;
Whereas, All Nigerians yearn for national unity and integration;
Whereas, Nigeria has passed through 100 years as an amalgamated nation with several challenges;
Whereas, Nigerians have made a determination to remain a nation that is indivisible and united despite our diversity;
Whereas, Together we can renew the Nigeria nation and begin a journey of another 100 years on the path of national unification;
Whereas, The Ambassadors for Peace of the Universal Peace Federation, invites all Nigerians to declare year 2014 as YEAR FOR NATIONAL UNIFICATION, a year of renewal, rededication, interdependence and mutual cooperation and prosperity. NATIONAL UNIFICATION OF NIGERIA will serve as the basis of all thoughts, expressions and actions from year 2014 until 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Nigerian Ambassadors for Peace of the Universal Peace Federation, hereby dedicate and proclaim on this 14th day of April 2014 the year 2014 as: YEAR FOR NATIONAL UNIFICATION OF NIGERIA and 2014 – 2020 as ERA OF NATIONAL UNIFICATION and invite all citizens to join in the nationwide realization of National Unification of Nigeria from this day forward, through the promotion of unity of mind and body as individuals, men and women in the family, human beings and resources in the environment, as well as interreligious harmony, regional integration and resources development and utilization.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our signatures and caused the Great Seal of the Ambassadors for Peace of the Universal Peace Federation – Nigeria to be affixed this 14th day of April, 2014.